Artist Spotlight: Paige Barnes-Dorsey
- By Aly Shearer
- •
- 30 Mar, 2023
We have absolutely fallen in love with Paige's snakes. After getting to know her a little bit better, we love them even more!
What are three things that you cannot live a day without?
1.Over the ear, padded headphones because I listen to books and podcasts while working. They're like old friends at this point and since my studio was built in 1820, practical in the cold.
2. We're a family that loves music so I'd have to say my record player. I have one at the studio and 3 at home. The hubs has nearly 2000 records.
3. Wine. I managed a wine store in my previous life, and what goes better with a record player?
When did you consider yourself an artist?
I think other people considered me an artist before I began calling myself one. Something about saying it out loud really scared me...hello imposter syndrome! I've been a "creator" all my life, and I love nothing more than painting and making one-of-a-kind things for my home. I dabbled in selling my work here and there but nothing held my interest or enthusiasm long enough to keep at it. Something shifted when I began sculpting snakes. For the first time I had vision of a final product and then worked my way backwards to achieve it; and I fell in love with the slow, messy, frustrating process. That's when I began to consider myself an artist: when I created a technique of my own and art that was recognizable as a "Paige Dorsey".
What inspired you to make snakes?
Let me begin by disappointing many of you: I hold no affinity for actual snakes. I may make them but I don't "do" snakes! This all began about a decade ago when I saw an ornate mirror in Thailand with 2 interlocking snakes. You know that feeling you get when your brain won't let go of an idea until you do something about it? That was this mirror for me. And it took 10 years and a global pandemic for me to sit with those snakes in my head and bring them to life.
Tell us a little about your process.
I'm a big thrifter so when comes to my mirrors I usually begin with a trip to the thrift store to see what round or oval ones I can find.
Once I'm ready to commit to the weeks long process I begin by forming my shapes. I rarely ever draw anything out at this point, preferring to just play and see what comes from it. When the armature comes to life I begin the messy process that gives them their porcelain-like skin. I hold my "secret recipe" close to the chest but each snake requires about 10-13 steps and can take between 5-20hrs to complete. Slow art/craftsmanship is my jam. My husband says that I have an abundant supply of project patience, but not people patience. He's not wrong!
What is something more people should know about you?
Nearly everything in my house and closet was bought at a thrift store/antique mall/flea market. Also, I make the world's most delicious roasted chicken, like put me in a competition kind of delicious...I'll take on Emeril himself! Or just come over for dinner, I promise to have wine!
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